It happens in so many Gujranwala homes. The weather cools, the smog rolls in, and a child who was fine all summer starts coughing. The cough lasts for weeks, especially at night. Antibiotics are tried, then cough syrups, and by spring it finally fades. Next November, it starts again.
If this sounds familiar, your child may not simply be catching one cold after another. Allergy or asthma could be part of the picture. Here is what parents should know, and when a child allergy test can help.
Quick Answers
- Children catch 6 to 8 colds a year, so some winter coughing is normal.
- A cough that returns every winter, worsens at night or after play, or comes with a wheeze may be allergy or asthma.
- Smog, dust mites, cold air and smoke are common triggers in Punjab.
- A Serum Total IgE test and a CBC can show whether an allergic tendency is likely.
- Asthma is diagnosed by a doctor from symptoms and examination. Blood tests support, but do not replace, that.
Why Winter Is Hard on Children’s Lungs
Children breathe faster than adults and spend more time playing outside, so they take in more polluted air for their size. In November and December, Punjab’s smog irritates small airways that are still growing.
Indoors, closed windows trap dust mites, smoke from heaters and cooking, and cigarette smoke from adults. Cold, dry air is itself a trigger for children with sensitive airways.
Cold, Allergy or Asthma?
| Repeated colds | Allergy | Asthma | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pattern | Comes and goes in 7 to 10 days | Sneezing, itching, blocked nose | Cough at night or after play |
| Fever | Often at the start | No | Not usually |
| Other clues | Caught at school, clears fully | Itchy eyes, worse with smog, dust or pets | Wheeze, short of breath when running |
| Tests that may help | Rarely needed | IgE, CBC (eosinophils) | Doctor’s diagnosis; allergy tests support |
Signs that point towards allergy
- Constant sniffing, sneezing in the morning, a nose that runs clear
- Rubbing the nose upwards with the palm (the “allergic salute”)
- Dark circles under the eyes
- Eczema or itchy skin patches
- A parent or sibling with allergy, asthma or eczema
Signs that point towards asthma
- Cough at night or early morning that wakes the child
- Coughing or wheezing after running, laughing or crying
- A whistling sound in the chest
- Colds that “go to the chest” and linger for weeks
Which Tests Can Help?
Your paediatrician decides whether tests are needed. The common first steps are:
| Test | What it shows |
|---|---|
| Serum Total IgE | Raised IgE suggests an allergic tendency |
| Complete Blood Count (CBC) | Raised eosinophils support allergy; also checks for anaemia |
| Stool for Ova/Cyst | Worms can also raise eosinophils and IgE |
A few things to know about IgE results:
- Total IgE shows a general allergic tendency, not what your child is allergic to.
- Normal IgE ranges for children change with age, so the lab’s age range matters.
- A normal IgE does not rule out asthma. Many children with asthma have normal IgE.
If your doctor needs to know the exact trigger, such as dust mites, pollen or particular foods, they may refer you for specific allergy testing.
Making the Blood Test Easier for Your Child
A blood test is often the hardest part for parents. A few tips from our phlebotomists:
- Test at home. Children are calmer in familiar surroundings. Our free home sampling team is used to working with little ones.
- Be honest. Tell your child it will feel like a quick pinch, then it is over.
- Bring a distraction. A phone video, a favourite toy or a story helps.
- Keep them warm and hydrated. Veins are easier to find in a warm, well fed child.
- No fasting is needed for IgE or CBC.
You can also visit any of our branches. You can find every branch address on our locations page.
Helping Your Child Through Smog Season
- Check the air quality before outdoor play. On bad days, play indoors.
- Keep windows closed on high AQI days and ventilate in the afternoon.
- No smoking inside the home or car, ever.
- Wash bedding weekly in hot water to reduce dust mites.
- If your child already has an inhaler, check with your doctor that the technique and dose are right before winter.
- Make sure flu and routine vaccinations are up to date.
When to See a Doctor Today
- Fast or hard breathing, or skin pulling in between the ribs
- Blue or grey lips, or a pale, floppy child
- High fever, especially in a baby under 3 months, or fever for more than 3 days
- Not drinking, or no urine for 8 hours
- Unusually sleepy or hard to wake
- Coughing fits that end in vomiting or a whooping sound
A cough that has lasted more than 3 weeks, or a child losing weight, also needs a check up. Our adult guide to smog season cough covers similar issues for the rest of the family.
Further reading: Asthma (WHO).
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age can a child have an IgE test?
At any age if a doctor requests it. Results are compared against the normal range for your child’s age.
Will my child grow out of allergies?
Some children do, especially food allergies and early wheezing. Others keep allergies into adulthood. Good control now helps their lungs grow normally.
Do cough syrups help?
Most cough syrups have little proven benefit in children, and some are not safe for young children. Ask your doctor before giving any.
Is the test painful?
It is a quick pinch from a small needle. Most children forget about it within minutes, especially with a small reward.
This guide is general health information from the City Care Lab team in Gujranwala. It does not replace advice from your own doctor.